DESCRIPTION: It is the Royal wood of Jamaica & its leaves have been used to wrap Cuban cigars. The wood is one of two woods in the World that has a pronounced metallic blue color. Dense & moderately easy to work, it takes a nice polish & is very iridescent when quarter sawn. It is an excellent wood for ukuleles & other stringed instruments as it has a bright tap tone with good sustain. BOTANICAL NAME & COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Hibiscus elatus is from the Islands of the West Indies. JANKA HARDNESS: 1330